Alameda Interchange

The Colorado Department of Transportation and Sema Construction broke ground on Nov. 12, 2008 for a new full diamond interchange at C-470 and Alameda Parkway.The $14.2 million project is being funded by the Green Tree Metro District No. 1, City of Lakewood and Jefferson County. It's expected to be completed by June 30, 2008.

Construction includes widening lanes on Alameda Parkway approaching the interchange, widening the bridge over C-470 by four lanes to accommodate the turn lanes, installing curb and gutter, traffic lights and storm drainage, and building concrete on-and-off ramps, retaining walls and sidewalks.

Bicycle and hiking paths also will be affected, although specifics are not in place. Plans call for an extended closure of Alameda Parkway during a period of time as construction progresses. At that time, detours will be in place and available for motorists still wanting to cross over C-470.

The Alameda interchange is integral in realizing the Rooney Valley's unique regional potential for high quality residential, office, and commercial development. The Valley's west metro location and unique land features provide an opportunity for one-of-a-kind signature office sites and corporate campuses.

The interchange provides needed access to land located within Lakewood city limits with the capacity for nearly 12 million square feet of commercial space and an additional 200 residential units. In addition to more than 1,100 residential units planned in Carma's 280-acre, $450 million Solterra development, land located in adjacent jurisdictions within the Rooney Valley could accommodate another 15 millions square feet of commercial and hundreds more residential units.

Construction of the Interchange, road realignments, and improvements will create a logical division between high volume workforce/commuter traffic and local residential traffic while enhancing bicycle and pedestrian connectivity within the valley, especially regionally significant areas such as the Hogback and Dinosaur Ridge. The new interchange will help bring to fruition the vision and intentions set out in the 2002 Joint Rooney Valley Master Plan regarding the development of commercial property and the attraction of primary jobs.

The planned interchange provided a key impetus to intergovernmental agreements between The City, Town of Morrison, and Jefferson County and demonstrated successful economic development collaboration. An exciting accomplishment that shows the opportunity which lies ahead in the Rooney Valley is the selection of Solterra as the 2008 Parade of Homes location. This is the first time the Parade of Homes has been hosted in Lakewood.